JP2007324956A - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the life of an external storage device by maintaining power supply when the external storage device holds reserved job information at the time of transition to a sleep mode.
A CPU 112 determines whether an HDD 132 stores a reserved job (S304). Then, when the reserved job is stored in the HDD 132, it is determined whether there is A time or more before the reserved time (S305). If the time is A or longer, the power control unit 502 turns off the power of the HDD 132 and shifts to the sleep mode. On the other hand, if it is A time or less, it is further determined whether or not it is B (B <A) time or more. If it is B time or more, the power supply control unit 502 turns on the power of the HDD 132 and sleeps. It is characterized by the configuration for shifting to the mode (S308).
[Selection] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

  In recent years, MFPs (Multi Function peripheral) capable of realizing a plurality of functions such as copying, network printing, FAX, and e-mail transmission have been provided. These apparatuses have various functions such as an image processing function, an editing function, and a function of transferring an image to a device such as a PC connected via a network, and can perform complicated processing simultaneously. Some MFPs include a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk (HDD) in order to process a plurality of image data in large quantities.

  In a typical HDD, a life of about 50,000 times is set for loading / unloading the head in the HDD, and the loading / unloading of the head is repeated each time the power is turned off / on.

  On the other hand, power consumption can be reduced by shifting to an energy saving mode or a sleep mode in which a part of the circuit of the apparatus is turned off after a certain period of time has elapsed after copying or printing by the MFP.

However, the number of times the power supply is turned on / off is limited by the life of the HDD, and if the power supply to the HDD is repeatedly turned on / off frequently, it will exceed the life of about 50,000 times. For this reason, there is known a technique for extending the time to the end of life by applying a restriction over a certain period of time from switching on / off of HDD power supply to switching on / off again (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
JP 2005-186426 A

  However, in the image processing apparatus including the HDD, a reservation job, for example, a job including printing, FAX, data transmission via a network, and the like is stored in the HDD, and job processing is performed at an output time set for the reservation job. May start.

  In this case, if the HDD power supply is forcibly cut off according to the sleep mode independently of the reserved job output setting time, the HDD power is turned on / off. It will exceed the life span of about 50,000 times.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is stored in a storage unit in an image processing apparatus that stops power supply to the storage unit when a specific condition is satisfied. By limiting the stop of the power supply to the storage means according to the time specified for the reserved job, the number of times of starting / stopping the power supply to the storage means is reduced and the life of the storage means is increased. .

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  Input means for inputting image data, output means for outputting image data input by the input means, and storage means for storing image data input by the input means, the image data being output means Storage means capable of storing as a reserved job for which the time to be output is specified, supply means for supplying power to the storage means, and supply of power by the supply means to the storage means when specific conditions are met Control means for controlling to stop the operation, and the control means has a first time difference between the current time and the time specified in the reserved job even when the specific condition is satisfied. The power supply by the supply means is not stopped when the time difference is within the time difference.

  The power control method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

An input process for inputting image data;
A storage step of storing in the storage means the image data input in the input step, a storage step of storing in the storage means as a reserved job designating a time for outputting the image data; and in the storage step An output process for outputting the reserved job stored in the storage means at a time designated by the reserved job, and control to stop power supply from the power supply unit to the storage means when a specific condition is satisfied And the control step includes a time difference between a current time and a time specified in the reserved job within a first time difference even when the specific condition is satisfied. In this case, the power supply to the storage means by the power supply unit is not stopped.

  According to the present invention, when the external storage device holds reserved job information when shifting to the sleep mode, the power supply can be maintained and the life of the external storage device can be extended.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
<Overall configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the image processing apparatus includes an image input / output apparatus 100 including a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 300 for executing a copying function.

  In FIG. 1, the image input / output apparatus 100 is configured to be able to communicate with host computers (PCs) 401 and 402 connected via a LAN 400 and a database server 410 similarly connected on the LAN 400.

  The image input / output device 100 includes a controller unit 110, a reader unit 200, a scanner unit 210, a printer unit 300, a power supply unit 500, an operation unit 180, and an external storage device (HDD) 132 such as a hard disk. .

  The reader unit 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  The printer unit 300 conveys the recording paper, prints the image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 360 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes. Further, the printer unit 300 includes a marking unit 310 having a function of transferring and fixing image data onto a recording sheet. Further, the printer unit 300 includes a paper discharge unit 370 having a function of sorting and stapling printed recording papers and outputting them outside the apparatus.

  The controller unit 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The controller unit 110 is connected to the PCs 401 and 402 and the database server 410 via the LAN 400 and the HDD 132 via an interface described later.

  The database server 410 manages the binary image and multi-valued image read by the image input / output device 100 as a database. Further, the file to which the attribute information is added by the PC 401 or the like is also managed as a database.

  The controller unit 110 controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document, and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet to provide a copy function.

  The image input / output device 100 also provides a scanner function that converts image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits the code data to the PCs 401 and 402 via the LAN 400. The image input / output device 100 provides a printer function that converts code data received from the PC 401 or 402 via the LAN 400 into image data and outputs the image data to the printer unit 300.

  The operation unit 180 is connected to the controller unit 110 and includes a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output device 100.

  The power supply unit 500 receives power from an AC power supply, converts it to a necessary voltage, and supplies power to the controller unit 110, the reader unit 200, and the printer unit 300, respectively. The controller unit 110 has a function of performing control for switching the power supply state from the power supply unit 500 to the printer unit 300 and the reader unit 200 to the power saving mode based on the set power saving condition. L1 to L4 are power supply lines. The power supply line L4 functions as a power supply line to the night circuit. The power supply line L3 is a power supply line for the HDD 132. The power supply line L1 is a power supply line for the reader unit 200. The power supply line L2 is a power supply line for the printer unit 300.

  Further, a so-called preheating mode is provided in which power supply from the power supply unit 500 to devices other than some of the devices of the printer unit 300 is limited to suppress power consumption. Details of the power supply unit 500 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Note that the low power effect may differ depending on the fixing process of the printer unit 300.

  A FAX line 411 is connected to the controller unit 110 and performs transmission / reception with an externally connected FAX.

<Hardware Configuration of Reader Unit 200 and Printer Unit 300>
FIG. 2 is an overview diagram showing hardware configurations of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 shown in FIG.

  The document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit 200 feeds the documents one by one to the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on, and the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to expose and scan the document. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and a lens 217. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 218.

  A reader image processing unit 222 performs predetermined processing on the image data output from the CCD 218 and outputs the processed image data to the controller unit 110 via the scanner I / F 140.

  Reference numeral 352 denotes a printer image processing circuit unit which outputs image data sent from the controller unit 110 to the laser driver via the printer I / F 145.

  The laser driver 317 of the printer unit 300 drives the laser emission units 313, 314, 315, and 316, and the laser emission units 313 to 316 emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the printer image processing unit 352. Let The laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drums 325 to 328 by mirrors 340 to 351, and a latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the photosensitive drums 325 to 328. Reference numerals 321 to 324 denote developing devices for developing the latent image with black (Bk), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) toner, respectively. And is printed in full color.

  A sheet fed from one of the sheet feeding cassettes 360 and 361 and the manual feed tray 362 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation is attracted onto the transfer belt 334 via a registration roller 333 and conveyed. Then, the developer attached to the photosensitive drums 325, 326, 327, and 328 is transferred to a recording sheet. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 335, and the developer is fixed on the image recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 335. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 335 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 371 by a discharge roller 336. An optional paper discharge unit 370 bundles the discharged recording sheets and sorts the recording sheets or staples the sorted recording sheets.

  If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 336 and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 336 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 by the flapper 337. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 338 is fed to the transfer belt 334 at the timing described above.

<Configuration of scanner image processing unit>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the reader image processing unit 222 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, in the reader image processing unit 222, a document on the platen glass 211 is read by the CCD 218 and converted into an electrical signal. In the case of a color sensor, the CCD 218 is composed of RGB color filters that are mounted in-line in RGB order on a one-line CCD. The CCD 218 may be a three-line CCD in which an R filter, a G filter, and a B filter are arranged for each CCD. Further, the CCD 218 may have a filter on-chip or a filter separated from the CCD.

  Then, the electrical signal (analog image data) is input to the reader image processing unit 222, and clamp & Amp. & S / H & A / D unit 401 performs sample hold (S / H). And clamp & Amp. The & S / H & A / D unit 401 clamps the dark level of the analog image data to the reference potential and amplifies the analog image data to a predetermined amount (the above processing order is not necessarily the notation order). And clamp & Amp. In the & S / H & A / D unit 401, A / D conversion is performed and converted into, for example, 8-bit digital signals of RGB.

  The RGB signals are subjected to shading correction and black correction by the shading unit 402 and then output to the controller unit 110.

<Configuration of controller unit>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the controller unit 110 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the main controller 111 mainly includes a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits. The CPU 112 and the bus controller 113 control the overall operation of the controller unit 110, and the CPU 112 operates based on a program read from the ROM 120 via the ROM / I / F 121.

  The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from the PC 401 and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 113 controls data transfer input / output from / to each I / F, and controls arbitration at the time of bus contention and DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 122 is connected to the main controller 111 by a DRAM / I / F 123 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for storing image data.

  The asynchronous serial communication controller 114 transmits and receives control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 via the serial buses 172 and 173, and performs communication of a touch panel and key input of the operation unit 180.

  The network controller 125 is connected to the main controller 111 through an I / F 127 and is connected to an external network through a connector 126. As the network, Ethernet (registered trademark) is generally used.

  The serial connector 124 is connected to the main controller 111 and communicates with an external device. A USB is generally used as the serial bus. The FAN 128 is connected to the main controller 111 and is used to cool the controller unit 110.

  The temperature monitoring IC 142 is connected to the main controller 111 by a serial bus 143. The temperature monitoring IC 142 is used for controlling the FAN 128, correcting the temperature of the real-time clock module 137, and the like.

  The general-purpose high-speed bus 130 is connected to an expansion connector 135 for connecting an expansion board, an I / O control unit 136, an HD controller 131, and a codec 133. A general-purpose high-speed bus is generally a PCI bus.

  The codec 133 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 122 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and conversely decompresses the code data compressed and stored into raster image data.

  The SRAM 134 is used as a temporary work area for the codec 133. Data transfer to and from the DRAM 122 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  The HD controller 131 is for connecting an external storage device. In the present embodiment, the HDD 132 is connected via this I / F. The HDD 132 is used to store programs and store image data. The HDD 132 has an area for storing a reserved job for which the processing start time is designated and an area for executing the box function.

  The I / O control unit 136 controls the data bus 144 and controls the port control unit 145 and the interrupt control unit 146. The panel I / F 141 is connected to the LCD controller 140 and includes an I / F for displaying on the liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 180 and a key input I / F 171 for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. Is done.

  The operation unit 180 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys.

  A signal input from the touch panel or a hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 via the panel I / F 171 described above, and a liquid crystal display unit on the operation unit 180 displays image data sent from the panel I / F 141. is there.

  The liquid crystal display unit on the operation unit 180 displays function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the image processing apparatus.

  The real-time clock module 137 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 138.

  The SRAM 139 is backed up by a backup battery 138 and stores user mode, various setting information, file management information of the HDD 132, and the like. Further, the SRAM 139 also stores, for example, time information of a reserved job for the HDD 132 in a nonvolatile manner. It should be noted that NVRAM may be used instead of SRAM 139.

  A graphic processor (GP) 151 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, binarization, scanner image input, and printer image output on the image data stored in the DRAM 122.

  The DRAM 152 is used as a temporary work area for the GP 151. The GP 151 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 150, and data transfer to and from the DRAM 122 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and is DMA-transferred.

  The connectors 160 and 155 are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively. The serial communication controller 114 is connected to a synchronized step-synchronous serial I / F 173, 172. The video I / Fs 163 and 162 are connected to the scanner image processing unit 157 and the printer image processing unit 153.

  The scanner image processing unit 157 is connected to the reader unit 200 via the connector 160 and is connected to the GP 151 via the scanner bus 161. The scanner image processing unit 157 has a function of performing a predetermined process on the image received from the reader unit 200. The scanner image processing unit 157 also has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the reader unit 200 to the scanner bus 161.

  The FIFO 158 is connected to the scanner image processing unit 157 and is used to perform line correction of the video signal sent from the reader unit 200.

  The printer image processing unit 153 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the connector 155. The printer image processing unit 153 is connected to the GP 151 via the printer bus 156. The printer image processing unit 153 has a function of performing predetermined processing on the image data output from the GP 151 and outputting the processed data to the printer unit 300. Further, the printer image processing unit 153 has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300 to the printer bus 162.

  The DRAM 154 is connected to the printer image processing unit 153 and is used for delaying the video signal for a predetermined time.

  Transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 122 to the printer unit 300 is controlled by the bus controller 113. Specifically, the data is DMA-transferred to the printer unit 300 via the GP 151, the printer image processing unit 153, and the connector 155.

  Reference numeral 190 denotes a FAX modem, which performs FAX transmission / reception with an external public line via a FAX I / F 191.

<Configuration of scanner image processing unit>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a portion that bears the scanner image processing unit 157 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, for the image data sent from the reader unit 200 via the connector 160, the connection & MTF correction unit 601 adjusts the delay amount for each line according to the reading speed, and corrects the MTF that has changed according to the reading speed. .

  When the CCD 218 is a 3-line CCD, the connecting process corrects the signal timing so that the reading positions of the 3 lines are the same. The FIFO 158 is used as a line delay buffer.

  The digital signal whose reading position timing is corrected is corrected by the input masking unit 602 for the spectral characteristics of the CCD 218 and the spectral characteristics of the lamp 212 and the mirrors 214, 215 and 216. The output of the input masking unit 602 is sent to the ACS count unit 405 and the GP 151.

<Configuration of Printer Image Processing Unit>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the printer image processing unit 153 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, image data sent from the GP 151 via the printer bus 156 is first input to the LOG conversion unit 701. The LOG converter 701 converts RGB signals to CMY signals by LOG conversion.

  Next, moire is removed by the moire removing unit 702. A UCR & masking unit 703 generates a CMYK signal from the CMY signal subjected to moire removal processing by UCR processing, and corrects it to a signal suitable for the output of the printer unit 300 by masking processing. The signal processed by the UCR & masking unit 703 is subjected to density adjustment by the γ correction unit 704 and then smoothed or edge processed by the filter unit 705.

  The output switching 706 temporarily stores an image for each CMYK image in the DRAM 154 in order to correct the distance between the photosensitive drums 325 to 328, and sends the corrected image between the drums to the printer unit 300 via the connector 155. And send.

<Operation section overview>
FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the operation unit 180 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the LCD display unit 3001 has a touch panel sheet pasted on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and transmits the position information to the CPU 112 when a displayed key is pressed.

  A start key 3002 is used when starting a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED in the center of the start key, and the color indicates whether the start key is ready for use. A stop key 3003 serves to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 3004 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 3005 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit 180.

  Reference numeral 3006 denotes a soft switch. When the soft switch 3006 is pressed, the power of some of the circuits is turned off to shift to a sleep mode that reduces power consumption. Note that when a hard switch (not shown) is turned off, all circuits are turned off.

<Operation screen>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a main operation screen which is a screen characteristic of the present embodiment among the screens displayed on the operation unit 180 shown in FIG.

  The functions provided by the image input / output device 100 are divided into four major categories: copy, transmission / fax, box, and expansion. Therefore, each function corresponds to four main tabs displayed at the top of the operation screen 3010, that is, a “copy” tab 3111, a “send / fax” tab 3012, a “box” tab 3013, and an “expand” 3014. is doing.

  By performing an operation in which the user selects these main tabs, switching to the screen of each category is performed by display control of the CPU 112. When switching to another category is not allowed, the display color of the main tab changes and no response is made when the main tab is pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the copy function includes a function of performing normal document copying using the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 included in the own device. The copy function includes a function (remote copy) of copying a document using the printer unit 300 connected to the scanner of the own apparatus via a network.

  The transmission is a function for transferring a document placed in the reader unit 200 of the own device to an e-mail, a remote printer, a fax, a file transfer (FTP), and a database, and a plurality of destinations can be designated. is there.

  Further, the box function can store a document image read by the reader unit 200 in the main body or print out the stored image data.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation unit screen at the time of transmission / fax setting when the “transmission / fax” tab 3012 is pressed from the main operation screen shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, in the transmission / fax setting, it is possible to select or create a destination of image data read by the reader unit 200. The destination can be set to fax, e-mail, network file, I-fax, etc. Further, by instructing the reservation setting button BT1, it is possible to make a reservation setting for the start time of FAX transmission or network transmission as a reservation job. Note that the reservation job is held in the HDD 132 shown in FIG. 1, and the power supply to the HDD 132 is turned on by the control procedure shown in FIG. 14 to be described later when the sleep mode is shifted based on the comparison between the set reservation time and the current time. The control unit 502 controls to OFF or ON.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen displayed on the PC when data is output from the PCs 401 and 402 illustrated in FIG. 1 to the printer unit 300 via the LAN 400.

  In FIG. 10, in addition to normal printing, a reservation job such as secure printing in which a predetermined password or the like is input on the operation unit 180 of the image input / output apparatus 100 and printing is performed, or reserved printing in which printing is performed by specifying an output time is performed. Can be set.

  In this embodiment, tabs TAB1 to TAB4 for page setting, finishing, paper feed, print quality, and the like are prepared on this screen. The user can select tabs TAB1 to TAB4 on this screen and make detailed settings for each page setting, finishing, paper feed, and print quality. Currently, the page setting is selected on this screen. BT1 to BT3 are buttons corresponding to OK, cancel, and help, respectively.

<Power supply unit>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of power supply unit 500 shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  In FIG. 11, reference numeral 501 denotes an AC / DC converter, which converts an AC 100V power source into a DC voltage necessary for the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the controller unit 110 of the image input / output device 100.

  A power control unit 502 controls ON / OFF of the FET switches 503, 504, 505, 506, and 507 in accordance with a control signal from the controller unit 110. Accordingly, power is supplied to the AC / DC conversion unit 501, the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the controller unit 110, respectively.

  The controller unit 110 is divided into an overnight circuit unit 513 including the CPU 112, DRAM 122, network controller 125, and the like shown in FIG. The power supply control unit 502 can control the power supply of the emergency night circuit 514 with the FET switch 506.

  Here, the emergency night circuit 514 includes drive circuit systems such as the bus controller 113 and the serial communication controller 114 in the main controller 111 that function as the second device.

  The night-time circuit unit 513 is a circuit system that drives a second device that shifts to a sleep mode state that restricts power supply from the power supply unit 500 as the first device. For example, drive circuits for the CPU 112, the DRAM 122, the network controller 125, etc. in the controller unit 110 are included.

  The power supply of the HDD 132 of the controller unit 110 can be controlled by the FET switch 507.

  As described above, the power supply control unit 502 controls the FET switches 504 and 505 to be turned off, thereby shutting off the power supply to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 in the sleep mode in which the image input / output device 100 is not used for a long time. . Thereby, the power consumption of the image input / output device 100 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the power supply control unit 502 turns off the FET switches 506 and 507, respectively, thereby cutting off the power supply to the emergency night circuit 514 and the HDD 132 in the controller unit 110, and further reducing power consumption. Specifically, according to the control procedure shown in FIG. 14, when the power supply control unit 502 shifts to the sleep mode state according to the instruction of the CPU 112, the power supply control unit 502 for the HDD 132 receives from the output time of the reserved job information. The power supply state is controlled in different ways.

  In the present embodiment, as a first control mode, the power control unit 502 determines whether or not the time difference between the output time set by the operation unit 180 and the current time is equal to or greater than the set first time difference (A time). Judging. If it is determined that the time difference is greater than or equal to the first time difference, the power supply from the power control unit 502 to the HDD 132 is stopped and the sleep mode state is entered.

  As a second control mode, the power supply control unit 502 uses a second time difference (B (B <A) that is equal to or less than the first time difference between the output time set by the operation unit 180 and the current time. If the second time difference (B (B <A time)) is exceeded, power supply from the power supply control unit 502 to the HDD 132 is maintained and the sleep mode state is determined. Transition to.

  As a third control mode, when the time difference between the output time set by the operation unit 180 and the current time is equal to or smaller than the set second time difference, the power supply control unit 502 supplies power to the HDD 132 from the power supply unit 500. Maintain supply. The current time is acquired from, for example, the real time clock module 137 shown in FIG.

  The night circuit unit 513 including the CPU 112 is normally supplied with power, and the power is cut off only when the power control unit 502 turns off the FET switch 503 or turns off the main switch (not shown). The

  Even when the image input / output device 100 is in the sleep state, it is necessary to receive a specific packet from the PCs 401 and 402 on the network and cancel the sleep state. This is because it is necessary to supply power to the peripheral circuits including the network controller 125. Here, the specific packet includes a packet output to a specific IP address.

<Sequence for normal PDL printing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This processing is an example of PDL data transfer processing by the printer driver of the PCs 401 and 402 shown in FIG. S101 and S102 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 112 executing a control program loaded into the DRAM 122 from the ROM 121 or the HDD 132.

  First, for example, when outputting PDL image data received from the PC 401, the user displays the PDL image output job on the PC 401 via the printer driver in S101 on the printer setting screen shown in FIG. Configure print settings.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the print settings include the number of copies, paper size, single / double-sided, page output order, sort output, presence / absence of stapling, and the like. When the reserved print designation is selected, the print job is accumulated in the HDD 132 of the image input / output device 100, and the reserved job can be set so that the print job accumulated in the HDD 132 is output at the designated print start time.

  In S102, a print instruction is given on the PC 401, and the driver software installed on the PC 401 converts the code data on the PC 401 to be printed into so-called PDL data. Then, the PDL data is transferred via the LAN 400 to the control device 110 of the image input / output device together with the print setting parameters set in S101. At this time, if the reservation job is set, the HDD 132 shown in FIG. 1 is temporarily stored, and the job execution is controlled by the CPU 112 based on the control procedure shown in FIG. 14 described later or FIG. The

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. This process is an example of a normal PDL image output process received from the PCs 401 and 402 shown in FIG. S201 to S207 indicate each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 112 executing a control program loaded into the DRAM 122 from the ROM 121 or the HDD 132.

  In step S201, the CPU 112 of the controller unit 110 waits to receive PDL data from the PC 401 via the LAN 400. When the PDL data is received, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, the CPU 112 develops (rasterizes) the PDL data transferred via the connector 126 and the NC 125 into image data based on the print setting parameters. Note that the image data is developed on the DRAM 122.

  In step S <b> 203, the main controller 111 transfers the image data expanded on the DRAM 122 to the GP 151. Then, after necessary image processing is performed in the GP 151 in S204, the process proceeds to S205.

  In step S <b> 205, the GP 151 transfers the image data after image processing to the main controller 111. The main controller 111 stores the transferred image data on the DRAM 122.

  In step S <b> 1206, the main controller 111 transfers the image data on the DRAM 122 to the printer unit 300 at an appropriate timing while controlling the printer unit 300 via the GP 151, the printer image processing unit 153, and the connector 155.

  In S207, the control device 110 controls the printer unit 300 to print out the image data. When the transfer of the image data is completed, that is, when the PDL job is finished, the print output is finished.

<Sequence during reserved job operation>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This process is an example of a reserved job process received from the PCs 401 and 402 shown in FIG. In addition, S301-S313 shows each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 112 executing a control program loaded into the DRAM 122 from the ROM 121 or the HDD 132.

  Here, it is assumed that the reservation job designates the print start time of the PDL data from the printer driver screen of the PCs 401 and 402.

  First, in S301, it is determined whether a reserved job specifying a print start time is input from a print setting screen (see FIG. 10) provided by the printer drivers of the PCs 401 and 402. If it is determined that a reservation job has been input, the input reservation job is spooled and stored in the HDD 132 in step S302, and the process proceeds to step S303.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in S301 that no reservation job has been submitted, the process proceeds to S303. In step S <b> 303, the CPU 112 determines whether a certain time has elapsed from a standby state in which the image input / output device 100 is not performing operations such as a copy function and a print / fax transmission / reception function.

  Next, if it is determined that a certain time has elapsed, in S304, the CPU 112 determines whether there is a reserved job spooled in the HDD. If the CPU 112 determines that there is no reserved job in the HDD 132, the process proceeds to S309. In step S309, the power supply control unit 502 controls the FET switch 507 based on an instruction from the CPU 112, thereby turning off the power supply of the HDD 132 and shifting to the sleep mode.

  Specifically, the power supply control unit 502 illustrated in FIG. 11 turns the FET switch 507 to the OFF state, thereby causing the power supply of the HDD 132 to transition to the OFF state.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in S304 that there is a reserved job in the HDD 132, in S305, the CPU 112 determines whether or not there is a predetermined A time or more until the reserved time by comparison with the current time.

  If the CPU 112 determines that there is a predetermined A time or more until the reservation time, the power of the HDD 132 is turned off in step S309 by the power supply control unit 502 shown in FIG. 11 turning off the FET switch 507. To enter sleep mode. It is assumed that the reserved time is stored in the SRAM 139 to be backed up.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S305 that the CPU 112 is less than the predetermined time A until the reservation time, in step S306, the CPU 112 compares the current time with B (A> B) or more until the reservation time. Judge whether. If the CPU 112 determines that the time is B (A> B) or longer, the CPU 112 shifts to the sleep mode with the power supply to the HDD 132 turned on in S308. Note that there are cases where the user can change the setting of A or B, and cases where the ROM 120 or the like sets a specific value. This is because the user-preferred times A and B (A> B) are set in accordance with the user's data processing environment to improve convenience.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S306 that the CPU 112 is less than the predetermined B time until the reserved time by comparison with the current time, the process proceeds to S307. In step S307, without entering the sleep mode, the power supply state to the HDD 132 is set to the ON state to maintain the standby state, and the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, the CPU 112 determines whether the set reservation time has come by comparison with the current time. If the CPU 112 determines that the predetermined reservation time has come, if the HDD 132 is not powered on, the CPU 112 determines whether the HDD 132 is powered on in S311.

  If the CPU 112 determines that the power supply of the HDD 132 is in the OFF state, in step S312, the power supply control unit 502 changes the power supply of the HDD 132 to the ON state, and the process advances to step S313.

  In step S313, the reserved print job stored in the HDD 132 is executed, and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 112 determines in S310 that the reservation time has not come, the process returns to S301 and the operation of the reservation job is repeated in the same manner.

  The reserved job is not limited to the case where the print start time of the PDL data is reserved from the printer driver screen of the PC 401 or 402. For example, it is conceivable to scan the document data from the screen on the operation unit 180 and reserve the fax transmission start time, or to scan the document data and reserve the network transmission start time.

  In the above embodiment, in S303 shown in FIG. 14, the case where the standby mode is shifted to the sleep mode has been described, and the case where the standby mode is shifted after a predetermined time has elapsed from the standby mode has been described. However, the configuration may be such that the user shifts to the sleep mode by pressing a soft switch of the operation unit 180.

  In this case, the CPU 112 determines that the soft switch of the operation unit 180 has been pressed before and after S303 shown in FIG. 14, and the other control is the same as in FIG.

  As a result, when shifting to the sleep mode during the processing for the reservation job received from the PC 401 or the like, control is performed to stop the power supply to the HDD 132 according to the time difference until the reservation time is reached. Similarly, control of a mode in which power supply to the HDD 132 is maintained or the standby mode is set is executed according to the time difference until the reserved time is reached.

  Therefore, the number of times of stopping the power supply to the HDD 132 when the sleep mode is shifted is reduced, and the number of times the head of the HDD 132 is repeatedly loaded / unloaded each time the power is turned off / on is also reduced. As a result, the life of the HDD 132 can be extended.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the reservation job data is stored in the HDD 132, but in the second embodiment, the reservation job data is stored in the DRAM 122. However, since the storage capacity of the DRAM 122 is smaller than the storage capacity of the HDD 132, the data of any reservation job cannot be stored. Therefore, whether to store the reservation job according to the free capacity of the DRAM 122 is switched.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, which is a modification of FIG. In addition, S301-S313 and S401-S403 show each step. Each step is realized by the CPU 112 executing a control program loaded into the DRAM 122 from the ROM 121 or the HDD 132.

  14 is different from FIG. 14 in that steps S401 to S403 are newly added. The other steps (S301 to S310, 312, 313) are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  In step S401 in FIG. 15, the CPU 112 determines whether the DRAM 122 has sufficient free space for the data amount of the reserved job input in step S301. If it is determined that there is sufficient free space, the process proceeds to step S402; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S <b> 402 of FIG. 15, the CPU 112 spools and stores the reservation job data in the DRAM 122.

  In step S <b> 402 of FIG. 15, the CPU 112 determines whether it is necessary to turn on the HDD 132 based on whether or not the reserved job having the reserved time is stored in the DRAM 122. Specifically, when the reserved job is stored in the DRAM 122, the CPU 112 proceeds to step S313 because it is not necessary to power on the HDD 132. On the other hand, if the reserved job is not stored in the DRAM 122, the CPU 112 proceeds to step S312 because it is necessary to power on the HDD 132.

  According to the second embodiment described above, when a reserved job can be stored in the DRAM 122, it is not necessary to turn on the HDD 132 to return from the standby state, so the number of times the HDD 132 is turned on / off can be reduced. it can.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, when shifting from the standby mode to the sleep mode, the transition to the sleep mode is made after a certain period of time has elapsed from the standby mode. On the other hand, it can be considered to shift to the sleep mode by pressing the soft switch 3006 of the operation unit 180. At this time, when the reservation job is stored in the HDD 132 and the soft switch 3006 is pressed when the reservation time is near, the following measures can be taken. For example, it is conceivable to display on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 180 such as “Scheduled print output time is coming soon. Alternatively, it is also possible to prohibit the transition to the sleep mode by displaying, for example, “Sleep is not possible due to the scheduled print output time”. In this case, by repeating ON / OFF of the soft switch 3006 in a short time, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of times the HDD 132 is turned on / off.

  The user can also specify the storage destination of the reserved job by using either HDD 132 or DRAM 122 or a combination thereof. Alternatively, it is possible to automatically select according to the capacity required for storing the reserved job. For example, by storing in the DRAM only in the case of a reservation job whose data amount is a predetermined capacity or less, it becomes easy to secure a memory capacity necessary for data processing other than the reservation job.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a print job is received as a reserved job from the PC 401, 402, etc., stored in the HDD 132, and the print job stored in the HDD 132 is processed at the reserved time. That is, the case where the reservation job is set via the print setting screen of the printer driver stored in the PC 401 or 402 has been described.

  However, the reservation job is not limited to a print job, and a job that is read from the reader unit 200 of the image input / output device 100 and transmits image information to an external device is stored in the HDD 132 as a reservation job, and then the external device at the reservation time. It may be a job to be sent to. Here, the reservation job includes a facsimile transmission job and a data transfer job.

  In the present embodiment, as a first control mode, the power control unit 502 is a first control unit in which a time difference between an output time set in reserved job information (for example, a print job) received from the PC 401, 402 or the like and a current time is set. It is determined whether or not the time difference (A time) is 1 or more. If it is determined that the time difference is greater than or equal to the first time difference, the power supply from the power control unit 502 to the HDD 132 is stopped and the sleep mode state is entered.

  As a second control mode, the power control unit 502 uses the first time difference in which the time difference between the output time set in the reserved job information (for example, print job) received from the PC 401, 402 or the like and the current time is set. It is determined whether or not the following second time difference (B (B <A time) or more). If it is determined that the second time difference (B (B <A time) or more), the power supply control unit 502 The power supply to the HDD 132 is maintained and a transition to the sleep mode state is made.

  As a third control mode, the power control unit 502 uses the second time difference in which the time difference between the output time set in the reserved job information (for example, print job) received from the PC 401, 402, etc. and the current time is set. In the following cases, power supply from the power supply unit 500 to the HDD 132 is maintained.

  Note that the UI 180 shown in FIG. 9 for setting the processing start time of the reserved job is displayed on the operation unit 180, the button BT1 is designated, and then the function is selected with the function buttons FBT1 to FBT3014. Then, it is assumed that the user operates the numeric keypad K1 to set the reservation time.

  As a result, when shifting to the sleep mode during the processing for the reservation job received from the PC 401 or the like, control is performed to stop the power supply to the HDD 132 according to the time difference until the reservation time is reached. Similarly, control of a mode in which power supply to the HDD 132 is maintained or the standby mode is set is executed according to the time difference until the reserved time is reached.

  Therefore, the number of times of stopping the power supply to the HDD 132 when the sleep mode is shifted is reduced, and the number of times the head of the HDD 132 is repeatedly loaded / unloaded each time the power is turned off / on is also reduced. As a result, the life of the HDD 132 can be extended.

[Other Embodiments]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the storage medium storing the software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, based on an instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  While various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification by those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an overview diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller part shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a portion serving as a scanner image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a printer image processing unit illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a top view explaining the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the main operation screen which is a screen characteristic of this embodiment among each screen displayed on the operation part shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit screen at the time of transmission / fax setting when a “transmission / fax” tab is pressed from the main operation screen illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen displayed on a PC when data is output from the PC illustrated in FIG. 1 to a printer unit via a network. It is a block diagram explaining the detailed structure of the power supply part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus which shows this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus which shows this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read with the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

132 HDD
500 Power supply unit 502 Power supply control unit 513 Night-time circuit unit

Claims (6)

Input means for inputting image data;
Output means for outputting the image data input by the input means;
Storage means for storing image data input by the input means, and storage means capable of storing as a reserved job designating a time at which the image data is output by the output means;
Supply means for supplying power to the storage means;
Control means for controlling to stop power supply by the supply means to the storage means when a specific condition is satisfied,
The control means supplies power by the supply means when the time difference between the current time and the time specified in the reserved job is within a first time difference even when the specific condition is satisfied. An image processing apparatus characterized by not stopping.   When the specific condition is satisfied and the time difference between the time specified in the reservation job and the current time is greater than a set first time difference, the control means is configured to The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the storage unit and the other part of the image processing apparatus is stopped to shift the image processing apparatus to a sleep state.   The control means is the case where the specific condition is satisfied, and the time difference between the time specified in the reservation job and the current time is within the set first time difference and larger than the second time difference. In this case, the power supply from the supply unit to the storage unit is maintained, the power supply to other parts of the image processing apparatus is stopped, and the image processing apparatus is shifted to a sleep state. The image processing apparatus described.   In the case where the time difference between the time specified in the reserved job and the current time is within a second time difference smaller than the first time difference, even when the specific condition is satisfied, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply from the supply means to the storage means and other parts of the image processing apparatus is maintained.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reserved job information includes a facsimile transmission / reception job and a data transmission job via a network. An input process for inputting image data;
A storage step of storing in the storage means the image data input in the input step, the storage step of storing in the storage means as a reserved job designating a time to output the image data;
An output step of outputting the reservation job stored in the storage means in the storage step at a time specified in the reservation job;
A control step for controlling to stop the power supply from the power supply unit to the storage means when a specific condition is satisfied,
In the control step, even when the specific condition is satisfied, if the time difference between the current time and the time specified in the reserved job is within a first time difference, the storage by the power supply unit An image processing method characterized by not stopping power supply to the means.

Images